eastern european eagle

Chapter 75 Policymaking and Covert Operations

Building an army and building buildings requires money. Although Peter has a small amount of capital in his hands, it is still not enough. (Not enough refers to an annual income of at least 30 Venetian Ducats)
Therefore, increasing income becomes another important thing.The Chamber of Commerce and the newly formed Ross Company were his cornucopia.

The Ross Company took over the commercial station in the Crimea and expanded its territory again from the Principality of Theodoro. (Because in the same year, the warlord ransacked the Principality of Theodoro and ran out of money)
Ross Company began to set up commercial stations in Kaffa and Kiev to conduct local trade.Import slaves, fish, timber, and export handicrafts such as linen and silk.

The company adopts the Genoese Venice model, with business stations and churches responsible for consolidating trade routes and expanding the ruling base.In order to have absolute control over the local area.

Venice was the teacher of colonization, and the Ross Company applied here the model of their governance in Crete and Cyprus.But it is more friendly to the local people, and it is accompanied by the spread of religious culture.

Wallachia's behavior of robbing money in the Black Sea and Ross areas aroused extreme dissatisfaction with Genoa. Although the other party repeatedly assured that this was a normal commercial competition, Genoa decided to teach him a lesson.

"My lord, this is the document submitted to us by the Republic of Genoa."

Peter took a look, and the content inside directly amused him.It is mentioned above that the shipment of some goods from Wallachia will be suspended for five years, and high tariffs will be imposed on the remaining goods.

This is unbearable, I am just a small country, why Genoa is so narrow-minded.

"Didn't the people from the chamber of commerce explain it to them?"

"Explained, but they didn't listen."

Now you can't blame him, if they don't listen to the explanation, then you can only do it face to face.

"My lord, the current route of the Chamber of Commerce in the Black Sea has just been established. Without the help of Genoa, I'm afraid..."

Of course Peter knew Genoa's strength in the Black Sea, but now he couldn't persuade the other party to lift the sanctions, so Wallachia could only come out and do it alone.

Fortunately, in the past two years, Wallachia has established shops and routes all over the Black Sea, and with the support of the Grand Duke, trade can continue even without Genoa.Genoa is the springboard for the Chamber of Commerce, but the time is too short, five or six years will do.

Then Peter started asking other questions.

"The one in the Crimea hasn't let go yet?"

"Yes, 10 ducats, not one less."

Peter stopped writing and fell into deep thought.

"10, it's worth it if it's not burned by others, but now, it's up to [-]. No, [-] is probably too much."

Peter made it very clear that the Duchy of Theodoro was not worth 10.Up to fifty thousand gold coins.

As the last Orthodox state in the Crimea, Peter intended to annex the small principality completely.And turn this place into a forward position to march towards Ukraine, and at the same time compete with Kaffa under the control of Genoa, and strive to let the other side transfer this place.

"How's it going with Nish?"

"In the past few months, there have been a lot of refugees coming from somewhere. Some settled in Nis, and some went to Vidin and other places."

"Tell local governments that if they settle down, no matter if they farm or do anything, they will be tax-free for two years."

Don't the refugees from the war in Serbia have to wait for the Chinese New Year? They are all ready-made labor.

Moreover, Peter got the news that Brankovich had already received the support of Osman, and he would surely repay the master with more tribute and population.

"Poor Serbia, even though they were the overlord of the Balkans a few decades ago, they are now acting as a forward for the pagans. It's really an impermanent world."

When Nicholas heard Peter's words, he thought he felt sorry for the empire, so he said aloud.

"Dozens of countries will go through ups and downs, and adults don't need to be too sorry."

Peter looked at him, and that look made Nicholas a little terrified.

"Yeah, nothing to regret."

Peter stopped this and turned to the government of Bulgaria.

Dobroga's bureaucratic system should be the most complete. Peter set up the three directors of finance, civil affairs, and military affairs, and then added the directors of business and agriculture.These departments are appointed and dismissed by Peter himself, and at the same time, a supervisory department is set up to try their best to maintain the good operation of the system.

While this is different from playing a game, the subject matter is still the same.Transform hereditary bureaucrats into appointed bureaucrats to improve administrative efficiency and strengthen centralization.

Choose appointments from universities and nobles to break the monopoly of nobles.Only in this way can the country develop healthily.

There are too many lessons from the Eastern Roman Empire. The emergence of warlords, noble privileges, and economic decline are all caused by a system that never changes.Michael VIII, the founder of the Palaeolian dynasty, restored the old management system of the Byzantine Empire, but did not dare to correct its defects.By issuing cheap silver coins he hastened the decline of commerce.In order to restore the vitality of Constantinople and defend the empire's European provinces, Mikhail VIII weakened the troops on the Anatolian front, had to cut their salaries and cancel their tax exemptions.This policy led to the gradual collapse of this front.

Therefore, before the aristocrats threaten the government, it is the last word to work hard to strengthen the centralization of power.

After recruiting Petkov, Peter created a new position: Spymaster.

Peter gave him a mission, not only in the country, Ottoman, King Castle, Hungary, Serbia, even Bohemia, Italy, Britain, and France all had Wallachia spies.Of course, these are not achieved overnight, first practice in Hungary and Ottoman.And gave some funds.

Petkov's ability is really good. He selected a group of loyal people from prisoners and orphans as spies, and trained them day and night.Those who are qualified will be sent to other places to inquire about news, and they must do everything possible to enter the center.

And among this batch of trainees, there are also some prostitutes.They are responsible for inquiring useful news in the market, and it is best to be favored by a nobleman, so that they can take one step closer.

(End of this chapter)